Ball-throwing device



June 6, 19 33. E R BLANCHARD 1,912,360

BALL THROWING DEVICE Filed Nov. 18, 1929 Patented June 6, 1933 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE BALL-THROl/VING DEVICE Application filed November18, 1929.

The invention aims to provide a novel and desirable device for throwinga ball when a target portion of said device is struck by a manuallythrown ball, thus producing entertainment as well as beneficial exerciseand skill.

In carrying out the above end, a further object is to provide new andimproved means for mounting the ball throwing arm and limiting itsupward swinging movement.

Another object is to provide novel means for holding the ball throwingarm in set position.

A. still further aim is to provide a unique ball holding socket on theball throwing arm, of such nature that it may be adjusted to direct theball in different directions.

lVith the foregoing in View, the invention resides in the novel subjectmatter hereinatter described and claimed, description being accomplishedby reference to the accompanying drawing.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the device in its set position.

'2 Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the device in the act ofthrowing the ball.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view with the partsrelated as in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a top plan View of the ball-holding cup and a portion of thearm by which it is carried.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional View on line 55 of Fig. 4.

j The drawing above briefly described illustrates the preferred form ofconstruction and while this construction will be herein specificallyexplained, it is to be understood that minor variations may be made.Moreover, it should be clear that I am not restricted to material ormaterials used in constructing the device, although wood and Serial No.403,031.

the other end of said base is preferably beveled as indicated at 9.

Near the beveled end 9 of the base 6, an arched bar 10 straddles saidbase, the ends of the two parallel legs of said bar 10, being pivotallymounted at the longitudinal edges of the base by means of a bolt 11passing through these parts. The crown portion of the bar 10 is straightand is secured by screws projected, is placed when the device is set ras seen in F 1 and 2. This cup is constructed and mounted in a uniqueway as hereinafter described.

A J-shaped bar 17 has its lower portion received in the notch 8, beingpivoted in said notch upon a transverse bolt or other pivot 18. Thevertical portion of this bar is provided with vertically spaced teeth19, any of which may be engaged with the free end of the arm 13 to holdthe latter set, against the tension of an arm-actuating spring 20 whichis disposed between arm 13 and base 6 and secured to the latter asdenoted at 21. The spring 20 is preferably provided with a coil 22, arms23 projecting from the ends of said coil and slidably engaging theball-throwing arm 13, and a loop 24 projecting horizontally from theintermediate portion of said coil. The fastener 21 passes through thisloop 24 and is in the form of a screw or bolt. By loosening thisfastener, the entire spring 20 may be adjusted longitudinally of thebase 6 to vary the point at which it acts against the arm 13,therebysimilarly varying the force with which the arm will be actuated.Then too, the tension at which the spring device is set, will alsocontrol the force with which the arm 13 is operated, and such tensionmay be varied according to the one of the teeth 19 with which the arm 13is engaged.

A vertically elongated bar 25 has its lower end secured to and embracedby the J-shaped bar 17, the upper portion of said bar 25 constituting atarget. When the device is set as in Figs. 1 and 3, striking of the bar25 with a manually thrown ball, will release the effective tooth 19 fromthe arm 13, thereby freeing the latter, with the result that it is swungupwardly by the spring 20 to the limit allowed by the arm 13 and thebeveled end 9 of the base 6. lVhen this limit is reached, the ball 16 isforcibly projected from the cup 1 5, and by means now to be described,the direction taken by the ball may be varied.

The socket 15 is of substantially hemispherical form and at ancit-center point is connected by a screw or the like 26 with the arm 13.By turning the cup about the screw or the like 26, its open side may bedisposed in different directions, thereby controlling the direction inwhich the ball 16 will be thrown. The cup 15 may be held in adjustedposition by friction or it may be tightly clamped by tightening thescrew or other fastener 26.

It will be seen from the foregoing that although a rather simple andinexpensive device has been provided, it will be highly desirable forfurnishing entertainment and beneficial exercise, as well asfordeveloping skill both as to accurate pegging or throwing, and catching.

I claim 2- 1. A ball throwing device comprising abase, a ball-throwingarm pivoted to said base, a spring device between the base and the armand slidably engaging the lower side of the latter at a point spacedfrom the pivot of the arm, adjusting means securing said spring deviceto said base and permitting adjustment of the former longitudinally ofthe latter to vary the distance between the aforesaid point and pivotand releasable means for holding said arm in set position.

2. A ball-throwing device comprising a base, a ball-throwing arm pivotedto said base, a spring device between the base and arm, said springdevice comprising a coil having arms at its ends engaging saidballthrowing arm, said coil embodying an elongated loop between its endscontacting with said base, and adjustable fastening means passingthrough said loop and securing said spring device adjustably to saidbase.

3. A ball throwing device comprising a base having a notch at one end, aspringactuated ball-throwing arm mounted on said base and when in setposition having its ballengaging end disposed at said notched end ofsaid base, a J-shaped bar having its bight portion received and pivotedin said notch, the vertical portion of said bar having teeth to holdsaid arm in set position, and a vertical target bar having its lower endsecured to and embraced by said J-shaped bar.

4. A ball throwing device comprising an elongated base, an arched metalbar whose legs straddle said base, means pivoting said legs to the edgesof said base near one end of the latter, the crown of said arched barbeing spaced above said base, a ball-throwing arm extending between saidlegs and secured near one of its ends to the lower side of said crown,said one end of said ball-throwing arm bcing adapted to strike said oneend of said base to limit the upward swinging of the former, the otherend of said ball-throwing arm being provided with a ball holder, springmeans mounted between the base and arm for upwardly swinging the latter,and releasable means for normally holding said arm in lowered position.

5. In a ball throwing device, a pivoted arm, a substantiallyhemi-spherical ball-holding cup, and means for pivotally connecting anoff-center portion of the cup bottom with said arm, allowing turning ofsaid cup to present its open side in any of a plurality of directions.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

ELIAS PAINE BLANCHARD.

